Laryngeal papillomatosis: Basic problems of the disease

Laryngeal papillomatosis is also known as recurrent respiratory papillomatosis . This is a disease caused by Human Papillomavirus (HPV) . Nodules that grow on the airways can cause airway obstruction or significant voice changes . The most common patients are children under 5 years old or people over 40 years old .

However, children are more common as well as more severe . This is due to exposure to HPV during the perinatal period . Unlike children, adults often get it through sexual contact . Let's learn the basic features of laryngeal papillomatosis through this article.

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1. Manifestations of laryngeal papillomatosis

This is a fairly rare disease. Therefore, adults often have symptoms for months or years before being diagnosed. The most prominent symptom is often varying degrees of airway obstruction. It can even be life-threatening and cause patients to seek medical attention. However, the symptom that often brings patients to the doctor is hoarseness . In addition, there may be accompanying abnormalities:

  • Change the voice.
  • Frequent choking.
  • Feeling of a foreign object in the throat.
  • Shortness of breath.
  • Wheezing sound when inhaling.
  • Whistle.

Currently, acute laryngitis is a very common disease, especially for those aged 18 to 40. In addition, this condition can also occur in young children, around 3-4 years old. Although the rate of serious illness and death is low, it causes many problems for patients. Let's learn more about this disease with the article " Acute Laryngitis: What you need to know! "now!

2. Causes of laryngeal papillomatosis

As noted above, HPV causes this condition. Besides, this is also the cause of papillomas on the skin, genitals and even cervical cancer. Up to 20 strains of HPV can cause genital warts. In which, there are only 2 types in which, HPV-6 and HPV-11 are the cause of the majority. In general, the HPV-11 strain causes more severe disease than the HPV-6 strain.

Laryngeal papillomatosis: Basic problems of the disease

Causes of laryngeal papillomatosis

Infants are usually infected during the perinatal period from a mother who has had it before. While vaginal delivery is a risk factor, a cesarean section does not completely protect the baby. In contrast to children, the route of transmission in adults is unknown. But, sexual transmission may be the main risk factor. The risk increases with the number of sexual partners and the frequency of oral sex.

>>> See more: " Softening of the larynx cartilage and what you need to know "

3. Main diagnostic means

Laryngoscopy or bronchoscopy provides information for confirmation of the diagnosis. Because the larynx is affected in more than 95% of patients, direct laryngoscopy will show typical papillomas. Occasionally, the trachea is affected without damage to the larynx. Then, bronchoscopy is necessary for diagnosis. These media show broccoli-like warts.

Laryngeal papillomatosis: Basic problems of the disease

What is the main means of diagnosis of the disease?

Biopsy of the observed lesion is essential. Not only to confirm the diagnosis, but also to rule out malignant metaplasia. Occasionally histological findings are atypical, making differentiation difficult.

4. Laryngeal papillomatosis is dangerous?

Laryngeal papillomas can lead to serious conditions.

  • Airway obstruction
  • Malignant degeneration. In 3-5% of patients, metaplasia develops into squamous cell carcinoma.

5. Treatment

5.1 Surgery

The goals of treatment are to resolve airway obstruction, improve voice, and remission. Currently, surgery is the standard treatment. Vocal cord lesions that cause symptoms need to be removed. However, in patients who have undergone multiple surgeries, only lesions that cause symptoms should be removed. It is not necessary to remove every papilloma during every surgery.

In patients with only hoarseness, elective surgery can be performed. Conversely, if they have airway obstruction, immediate treatment is needed.

5.2 Support methods

There are many methods that have been tested. However, the effectiveness of these methods is still unknown as the underlying mechanism of the disease remains mysterious. Some support methods:

  • Interferon
  • Kinetic light therapy
  • Indole-3-carbino
  • Ribavirin
  • Acyclovir
  • Methotrexate…

6. Prevention

Laryngeal papillomatosis: Basic problems of the disease

Vaccines against certain strains of HPV

Laryngeal papillomatosis is an uncommon, benign disease that can cause many different conditions. From the discomfort caused by hoarseness, cough, choking.. to dangerous problems such as airway obstruction or malignant degeneration. Therefore, when detecting symptoms, it is necessary to go to the doctor for the most appropriate diagnosis and treatment. The most common treatment today is surgery combined with supportive methods. Prevention is by giving women the HPV vaccine before having sex. Everyone should regularly pay attention to their own health to detect the early signs as possible.

Doctor: Nguyen Le Vu Hoang